“Theatre doesn’t last. Only in people’s memories and in their hearts. But that’s life. Beauty and sadness. And that is why theatre is life.”
Like many aspects of life, I started this journey not because I planned to, but because it was just right. I always loved theater, but frankly knew very little about it. Eight years ago, my dear friend Nina Keneally invited me to a table reading of Alfred Uhry’s “Divine Intervention”, and let’s just say that I was hooked. I wanted to know everything I could about theater production. And Nina and her brother Jamie Lightstone were happy to oblige.
I started by enhancing their production of “Transport” (by Tom Keneally and Larry Kirwan, and directed by Tony Walton) at the Irish Rep Theatre, which was my first exposure to mounting a show from start to finish, and then tagged along on the stirring production of “The Last Confession” (and saw the opening at the Royal Alexandra Theatre in Toronto). I will be forever grateful for this introduction to theater and especially these opportunities.
I next branched into two directions – I was offered the opportunity to take over from Roundabout Theatre Company the development of the play “Steinbrenner!” written by Ira Berkow and Bill Madden, which I continued to develop for three years and for which I produced three readings, and I invested in the Off-Broadway Obie Award winning production of James Ortiz’s “The Woodsman” at New World Stage, both enriching experiences.
From there, I stepped up a level and became an investor in the multiple award-winning musical phenomenon “Come From Away”, which now boasts four productions (Broadway, a North American Tour, London and Australia). What pure joy to be associated with this production, its creative team, production team, actors, many of whom I consider friends, co-producers, other investors, and most of the people portrayed in the show.
After traveling to London in 2017 to see multiple shows over a week, including the Olivier Award winning play “The Ferryman” by Jez Butterworth, I did not hesitate to invest in the Broadway production, and was present at Radio City Music Hall to witness it winning the 2019 Tony® Award for Best Play, among other deserving awards.
In 2019, I stepped up another level, and was honored became a co-producer of the Tony® Award and Drama Desk Award winning play “The Inheritance” by Matthew Lopez.
In 2020, I became an investor in the Broadway transfer of the hit musical “Six.” Unfortunately, Broadway shutdown due to the COVID-19 Pandemic on what should have been Opening Night for “Six.” Luckily, the production prevailed and opened in the fall of 2021 and won numerous awards including Tony® Awards, Drama Desk Awards, and was named Best Musical by the Outer Critics Circle. They truly are the Queens of Broadway and currently have successful productions across the globe.
I am currently represented on Broadway as a Co-Producer of Tom Stoppard's Olivier Award winning play "Leopoldstadt", which received rave reviews and has extended its run to July 2023. Next up is the Broadway transfer of the sold out West End sensation "Prima Facie" starring Jodie Comer.
As with many people who become involved with theater productions, this "second" career and the successful productions with which I have been fortunate to be associated have motivated me to continue to strive to seek important and entertaining theater to bring to stage.
— Brian Spector
Caitlin McNeilage, Production Assistant
Caitlin McNeilage is a New York-based singer, actress, and producer. Her love of theater and the arts started at an extremely young age and she grew up knowing her goal was to live in New York and work in the Broadway industry.
She attended NYU Tisch School of the Arts' New Studio on Broadway Musical Theatre program as well as studying various areas of theater at Playwrights Horizons Theater School and studying screen acting, writing, directing, and producing at StoneStreet Studios.
After her beloved hometown was hit by Category 5 Hurricane Michael in October of 2018, Caitlin created a non-profit organization and produced a benefit concert at 54 Below in NYC to raise funds for recovery. Broadway stars from Hamilton, Frozen, Wicked, Mean Girls, The Phantom of the Opera, Hello Dolly!, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, and more performed with Caitlin and the night was a huge success! This was the moment Caitlin found her love for producing and decided to get more involved. She was introduced to Brian through a mutual friend and has learned so much working with him on his various projects. She hopes to eventually have her own production company and continue to be a multi-hyphenate artist on Broadway and beyond!